Plumb-level.



No. 542,230. Patented Ian. 30, I900.

' F. X. HURTUBIS.

P L U M B L E V E L (Application filed Sept. 9, 1899. I

(No Modsi.)

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srnorrroncrron forming an of Letters Patent no. 642,230, dated January 30, 19cc.

Application filed September 9, 1899. Serial No. 729,974. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANCIS X. HURTUBIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oswego, in the county of Oswego and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Leveling Instrument, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to leveling instruments; and it has for its object to provide a construction in which a series of dials and indexes are substituted for the usual arrangement of spirit-tubes, one object of the invention being to provide a construction which will be visible under all conditions and in which the parts may be adjusted for accuracy with ease and efiiciency.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for holding the adjustable parts to secure them in their fixed positions.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in both views, Figure l'is a side elevation of an instrument constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, 5 represents the beam of the implement, adjacent one end of which is formed a circular opening 6, passing entirely through the beam from one side to the other, and communicating with which is a similarly-disposed triangular opening or perforation 7. In the perforation 6 is disposed a cylindrical box or casing 8, having an extension 9 adapted to enter the perforation 7 and to limit the oscillatory movement of the casing within the perforation 6. The casing 8 has a recess 9 upon its inner periphcry and adjacent each end, and which recesses are preferably formed by corrugating the material of the casing, as shown in Fig. 2. In the recesses 9 are disposed disk-shaped bearing-plates 10, having alining central perforations 11, in which is journaled the spindle 12, having indexes 13 and 14. fixed to its opposite ends exteriorly of the plates 11 and lying one above the other and parallel. Upon the plates are disposed dial-plates 15, having graduations, as shown in Fig. 1, and over which graduations the indexes 13 and 14C are adapted to move.

Connected to the spindle 12 and extending diametrically opposite to the indexes and parallel therewith is an arm 18, having a plumb weight 19 upon its outer end, and which weight is adapted to hold the indexes vertical.

In order to determine when the edge of the beam is at right angles to the indexes, it is necessary that there be apoint upon the beam with which the index at each side will aline under these conditions, and for this purpose an outward extension 20 is formed upon one end of the casing 8, and to which extension is fixed a finger 21. In order to set this finger at the proper position, a slidable rod or plate 22 is pivotally connected therewith, as shown at 23, and lies upon one face of the beam. This plate has a handle or k nob 24 at its outer end, and intermediate its ends is formed a longitudinal slot 25, in which is disposed a combined clamping and guide screw 26,Which is screwed into the material of the beam. Thus if this plate 22 be reciprocated it will act to oscillate the casing 8, and by placing the beam upon a known level surface, the finger 21 may be adjusted to aline with the adjacent index 14;, the dial-plate 15 moving with the finger, so that it has always a proper relation thereto. In order to further hold the plate 22 against accidental movement, a spring-finger 27 is fixed at one end to the beam 5, while its opposite end has a roughened surface engaging a similar surface of a plate 22. A clamping-screw 28 is passed through the finger 27,and by means of this screw the finger may be drawn down and clamped upon the plate to hold it fixedly in position.

It is of course desirable to protect the indexes and dials, and for this purpose crystals 29 are placed over the dial-plates 15 and have their peripheries seated in corresponding grooves 30 in the inner periphery of the easing 8 at its ends.

In order that the instrument may be used as a plumb, a perforation similar to the-perforation 6, and communicating with which is a triangular passage ll. A casing comprising a cylindrical portion 12 and a triangular por tion 43 is fitted in the perforation 40 and passage 41, that portion within the passage 41 having a slight lateral play to permit oscillation of the cylindrical portion for adjustment of the instrument in the same manner as de scribed. At each end of the casing comprising the portions 42 and 43 is fixed a coveringplate 44, corresponding in outline to the casing and held thereon in any desired manner. These plates have bearings therein for the reception of a spindle 45,equipped with indexes 46, similar in all respects to those above described, and with the spindle 45 is also connected an arm 47, having a plumb-weight 48 at its free end, and which weight is adapted to hold the indexes 46 longitudinally of the beam or at right angles tothe direction which the weight 19 tends to hold the indexes 13 and 14. On account of the disposition of this last casing the triangular portion may be formed much larger, which permits a longer plumbarm than employed in the first instance. Upon the plates 44 and concentric with the spindle 45 are disposed dial-plates 49,and over them and the indexes are arranged crystals 50, held in place by means of flanges 51. The means for adjustment of this last-named casing to bring the finger in proper alinement with the indexes is the same as that above described and the operation of which will of course be understood. I

It will of course be understood that the material of which these parts are formed may be varied and that the specific construction and proportions may be altered Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Aleveling instrumentcomprisingabeam having transverse openings therein, cylindrical casings fitted in the openings and adapted for oscillation therein, means for limiting the degree of oscillation of the casings, dials carried by the casings, indexes pivotally mounted upon the casings and having plumbweights connected therewith, fingers carried by the casing and adapted to register with the indexes, slidable plates pivoted to the fingers to oscillate the casings and a spring-finger mounted upon the beam and having a clamping-screw adapted to clamp it upon the plate to hold the casing in its adjusted positions.

2. Aleveling instrument comprising abeam having a cylindrical opening therethrough and a communicating angular opening, of a cylindrical casing in the first-named opening and having an extension lying in the second opening, said casing being adapted for oscillatory movement, a dial upon the casing, an index pivotally connected with the casing and having a plumb-weight, a slidable plate pivoted to the casing and adapted to reciprocate, a spring-finger arranged transversely of the plate and means for clamping the finger against the plate to hold it against slidable movement.

3. Aleveling instrument comprisingabealn having a cylindrical opening therethrough and a communicating angular opening, of a cylindrical casing in the first-named opening and having a hollow extension lying in the second opening and corresponding therewith in form, said casing being adapted for oscillator; movement, dials carried by the casing, a spindle pivoted in the casing and having indexes adapted to travel over the dial, a

. plumb-weight in the extension of the casing and adapted to move therein, said weight being connected with the spindle, and means for oscillating the casing.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS X. HURTUBIS.

Witnesses:

ALBERT E. CLARKE, GEO. E. WALLACE. 

